The forest is quiet. Too quiet. Every snapped twig, every rustle of leaves echoes in my ears. My pulse is still running from the fight with Krell—and from her. Mari Ventor. God, the way she stares at you like she's already dissected your entire soul and decided it's not worth saving… I can't stop thinking about her.
I push the thought away. Focus, Vrenatta. Focus on the pack. My father's going to chew me out if I wander back late again, even if it's because the little ice queen herself glared at me until I almost forgot how to breathe.
"Hell," I mutter, kicking at a branch. "Why do I even care?"
The answer is obvious. She's dangerous. And not the kind of danger I can walk away from. But right now, I have other things to worry about. Krell's still loose, and my father will expect a full report on patrols and border security tomorrow.
I move deeper into the forest, keeping to the shadows, senses sharp. Something brushes past a tree. Movement. A ghost in the dark.
"Who's there?" I snap, hand reaching for the dagger at my belt.
A chuckle—low, deliberate—echoes from behind a thick oak.
"Relax, Vrenatta," says a voice I don't expect.
I spin, dagger up, ready to strike. My heart lurches when I see him: Soren Draven, standing casually, hands in pockets, leaning against a tree like he owns the place.
"What the—" I start, eyes narrowing. "How the fuck did you—"
He smirks. "Followed you, obviously. You didn't think your little solo stroll was going unnoticed, did you?"
I freeze. "You followed me?"
"Relax, I wasn't stalking. Just… making sure Krell doesn't turn you into a bloody mess before breakfast."
My jaw drops. "Wait. You mean… you were behind me the whole time?"
Soren shrugs, flashing a grin that's annoyingly infuriating. "Wouldn't be a good Beta if I didn't. Someone has to keep the reckless heir from getting himself killed."
I snort, lowering the dagger slightly, though my chest is still pounding. "You could've said something. A simple 'Hey, idiot, stop wandering into Ventor territory' would've sufficed."
He laughs, sharp and teasing. "Where's the fun in that? You Vrenattas love showing off, and I like watching."
I scowl, running a hand through my hair. "You're insane, you know that?"
"Yeah," he says, grinning wider. "But you'll get used to it. You'll even thank me someday."
I snort again. "Doubt it."
"Sure you do," he says, shrugging. "Anyway, we should get back. Father's going to have my head if he finds out I wasn't watching you. And you—well, you'll probably get grounded again."
"Grounded?" I growl. "I'm almost eighteen. I don't get grounded anymore."
"Not from the Alpha, no," he says, smirking. "But from me? Yeah. Rules still apply."
I huff, shaking my head, but the tension eases a little. Soren is infuriating, but there's something about having him around that… I don't know, makes me feel less exposed. Less reckless.
We move through the forest side by side, and I notice for the first time how in sync our movements are. He's agile, silent, a shadow that mirrors me without thinking. It's unnerving.
"So," I say, trying to change the subject, "you were watching me wander into Ventor territory tonight. Did you see the little ice queen?"
Soren laughs, a low, teasing sound that echoes through the trees. "Yeah. I saw her. She's… something."
I narrow my eyes. "Something what? Beautiful? Dangerous? Infuriating?"
"All of the above," he says casually, like naming a sandwich order.
I glare. "Keep your opinions to yourself."
He smirks again. "Not my style."
We reach the edge of our territory, the Vrenatta pack house visible through the trees. Smoke curls from the chimneys, and I can hear the faint shuffle of pack members preparing for the night. Safe. Secure. Home.
Soren steps beside me, tone softening slightly. "Luke… you can't keep running off like that. Not tonight, not ever. Krell isn't the only problem. There are always threats. Packs always test borders. You need someone watching your back."
I glance at him, catching a hint of genuine concern. Shit. I didn't expect that. "I can handle myself," I mutter.
"Maybe," he says. "But you won't always have the element of surprise—or luck. Trust me, that's why Betas exist."
I snort, shaking my head. "You're preachy."
"Someone has to be," he says, smirking again. "Otherwise you'd wander straight into a trap and wonder why the hell no one saved you."
We reach the main gate, and Soren pauses, looking back toward the forest. His eyes flicker, sharp and calculating, and I realize he's already analyzing what could happen next. He's good. Too good. And infuriatingly loyal.
"You know," I say, letting my shoulders relax slightly, "you're lucky you're useful. Otherwise I'd kick your ass for sneaking up on me like that."
He grins. "I'll take it. Lucky, useful, and occasionally annoying. Sounds about right."
I shake my head, laughing despite myself. Soren Draven, my Beta, my father's Beta's kid, is infuriating—but damn, he's also… reliable. And I can't deny I feel a little safer knowing he's there.
We step inside the pack house, warmth and familiarity washing over me. The smell of roasted meat and smoke hits my senses. My father and the adult Beta, Kael Draven, are discussing patrol rotations, maps spread across a table.
"Luke," my father says without looking up, "good. You're back. Brief me on the patrols."
I glance at Soren, who gives me a subtle nod. He's ready to back me up if needed. That's reassuring.
I report on the night's events, careful to omit anything unnecessary about Mari—just Krell and the border. Father nods, satisfied, and I relax slightly. For now, the pack is safe.
After the meeting, Soren falls into step beside me again as we move toward the training grounds. "You really like that Ventor girl, don't you?" he asks casually, teasing, but there's a sharp edge of curiosity in his tone.
I stiffen, glaring at him. "What the hell makes you think that?"
"Call it experience," he says, grinning. "Or maybe I just know how to read a Vrenatta."
I growl, shoving him lightly. "Keep your damn mouth shut. She's the enemy. That's all you need to know."
"Sure, sure," he says, still smirking. "But you're thinking about her. Big time."
I roll my eyes, muttering, "Fuck. You're insufferable."
"Yep," he agrees cheerfully. "And that's why you need me."
I can't argue with that. Not really.
Even as I train, even as I spar with Soren, my mind keeps wandering back to Mari. To her glare, her sharp words, the way she made me feel alive—and frustrated—all at once. I hate it. And I can't stop it.
Shit.